According to the latest news from MMAjunkie.com, I'm not alone in picking the reinvented and revitalized UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt as a personal favorite.
After losing his Octagon debut 18 months ago—against Sean McCorke at UFC 119—the Super-Samoan has reinvented himself of late with three straight victories.
The most recent being Hunt's thrilling first round stoppage over French-behemoth-heavyweight-kick-boxer Cheick Kongo—which took place at UFC 144 this past February in Saitama, Japan.
Now it seems, fans have established an online Twitter campaign called #RallyForMarkHunt.
Now it seems, fans have established an online Twitter campaign called #RallyForMarkHunt.
If their twitter-rally is successful, fans will then get to see Hunt replace the backsliding Alistair Overeem in a title-shot bid against current champion Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146.
Hunt is understandably flattered..but sounded skeptical however, when interviewed recently:
"Yeah, I don't think I'll get that call," Hunt told Steven Marrocco.
"I think they just like to see someone that's been down for such a long time and come back," Hunt said. "Everyone has hard times. This whole planet is going through bad times. I think it's just that they like to see the underdog get some. It's always the other way around. But there's a good rally. I've got about 300 followers now on Twitter, which is pretty cool."
All this has quickly came-about since news broke earlier this week that Overeem failed an NSAC surprise-pre-fight drug-test which was slyly and unexpectedly given to a number of UFC heavyweights while they attended a press-conference last month to hype the upcoming UFC 146 event.
Like a lot of us, Hunt said he was neither surprised nor shocked that Overeem finally got busted:
"I didn't think it was horse-meat he was eating," Hunt said. "But they always come back. I'm sure there's a lot of people using stuff to get ahead. It's a cutthroat business."
"As for me," said Hunt—who is scheduled to face-off against Stefan Struve at the aforementioned event next month, "I'm trying to get myself "out there" and be more for me at this time in my career.
"My career is now at the twilight, nearing the end of it, so getting a title shot for next year, now that would be great, " Hunt said.
As for Overeem's replacement? Hunt says he has a hunch:
" I think it's Frank Mir who'll replace Overeem," he said.
*Note: More on Mark 'Super Samoan' Hunt's rags-to riches-story can be found here.
